Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have discovered a secret Mayan burial chamber hidden in a cave at an archaeological complex in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The discovery, sealed by a massive boulder deep within Mexico’s walled city of Tulum, provides a rare glimpse into the burial practices of this pre-Hispanic civilization.

Archaeologists found the skeletons of several people after removing a large boulder blocking the entrance to a secret cave in a walled area of ​​a Mayan city. The discovery was made during work planned to open a new road for visitors in the area between two famous temples. A carefully glued sea snail hinted at Mayan craftsmanship, while a split human skeleton hinted at a deeper mystery.

After the stone blocking the entrance to the cavity was removed, it was observed that the individual completely disintegrated the skeletal remains, leaving the lower part of the body outside and the upper part inside. This means a person can get stuck trying to reach the gap.

Project coordinator Jose Antonio Reyes Solís said in a statement that after removing a boulder blocking the entrance to the cave, researchers found that it had shattered the ossified remains of the human, leaving the lower part of the body outside and the upper part inside.

Inside the cramped cave, about half a meter high, lay the bodies of eight adults, perfectly preserved thanks to the cool, dry environment. All materials are also being reviewed by Allan Ortega Muñoz, head of the physical anthropology department at INAH’s Quintana Roo Center.

According to José Antonio Reyes Solís, coordinator of the archaeological research project, the examination of the cave found that the relief showed at least two small rooms, located in the southern and northern parts, whose lengths did not exceed 3 meters. It is 2 meters wide and its average height is 50 centimeters.

Numerous animal skeletal remains associated with the graves were also recorded. According to Fauna Identification Experts Jeronimo Aviles and Cristian Sanchez, who collaborated on the project, these originally corresponded to a variety of mammals (domestic dogs, mice, opossums, blood-sucking bats, white-tailed deer, tepesquintlas). , nine-pointed armadillo, tapir, peccary); Birds belonging to the orders Galliforme, Passeriforme, Pelecaniforme, Piciforme and Charadriiforme; reptiles (sea turtle, tortoise and iguana); fish (tiger shark, barracuda, perch, drum, puffer fish, stingray); crustaceans (crabs and leeches), molluscs (snails) and amphibians (frogs). While there are cut marks on some bones, some have artifacts such as punches, needles or fan handles specific to the region.

A single ceramic “molcajete” (grinding vessel) also indicates that the burial dates back to the Late Postclassic period (AD 1200-1550). A small mortar of the type decorated with notches was found in three graves, which the restorer intervened for preservation purposes.

Accounts from archaeologists indicate that conditions inside the cave were particularly harsh, with small entrances, low ceilings, lack of natural light, and general heat and humidity. In addition to photographs, a 3D scan of the site will also be conducted so that researchers and the general public can view the materials and ensure they remain in their original context. Source